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}}'''The Zoo Northwest Florida''' (also called '''The Gulf Breeze Zoo''' or simply '''The Zoo''') hosts over 900 animals on more than 30 acres of preservation land. The Zoo is located at 5701 [[Gulf Breeze Parkway]], 10 miles east of [[Gulf Breeze]] and 19 miles west of [[Fort Walton]]. In addition to the animals themselves, the Zoo features amenities such as the Safari Line Train, Jungle Café, Whistlestop Snack Bar, and a gift shop in the main building.
The Zoo was founded in [[1984]] by four businessmen, including [[Pat Quinn]], who became its director. On [[September 1]], [[2004]], weeks after being damaged by [[Hurricane Ivan]], control was transferred to the non-profit '''Gulf Coast Zoological Society''', the current executive director of which is [[Doug Kemper]]. In addition to the Ivan damages, the Zoo has faced a number of problems in recent years, including dying animals and dwindling attendance.
==Exhibits & animals==
===Animal deaths===
In January the first seven months of [[2007]], a total of 44 animals had died in the Zoo from various causes.<ref name="woes">"Zoo woes take center stage." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 29, 2007.</ref> In January, four kangroos died of bacteria-related illness within a three-day period.<ref>[http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/1956 String of kangaroo deaths plagues zoo] - [[Northwest Florida Daily News]], January 17, 2007</ref> Two popular animals were found dead by zookeepers in July of the same year. Baby hippopotamus Niles died on [[July 7]] from a punctured lung caused by her father, Kiboko.<ref>"Father's bite killed baby hippo." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 13, 2007.</ref> On [[July 17]], 10-year-old giraffe Sammy died from "acute stress and increased body temperature" resulting from a neck injury, possibly incurred by one of the posts or cables that surround the giraffes' enclosure.<ref>"Zoo loses Sammy the giraffe." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref>
===Injuries and escaped animals===
On [[November 13]], [[2006]], a caged leopard bit a 19-year-old zookeeper (whose last name, coincidentally, was Leopard) who was "too close" to the cat, according to Kemper.<ref>[http://www.bigcatrescue.org/big_cat_news_files/2006/FLincidents.htm bigcatrescue.org]</ref> Two cougars temporarily escaped from their pens on [[November 14]], 2006 (one day after the leopard bite), requiring all 30 visitors to be moved to secure areas.<ref>[http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articleArchive/jan2007/cougarsescape.php Cougars escape pen at The Zoo] - [[Northwest Florida Daily News]], November 15, 2006</ref>
===Employee exodus===
Former docent [[Carol Mills]] and ex-employee [[Sandra Dempsey]] made vocal complaints about the Zoo's practices, which included:<ref name="woes"/>
*Failure to treat flea and mite infestations.
*Taking blood from the Zoo's goats to feed vampire bats.
*Housing reptiles for months on end in a concrete building without sunlight.
==References==
[[Category:Entertainment]]
